Hot-blast cupola



D66. 3, 1929, c, D, BARR 1,738,277

HOT BLAST GUPULA Filed Nov. 15, 1927 INVENTOR C4 465M657, flame PatentedDec. 3, 1929 uNrrEn stares rArENr OFFICE GLARENOEJ). BARR, OFBIRMINGHAM, nnenenanssronon TO AMERICAN CAST IRON PIPE 00., OFBIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA, A CORPORATION OF GEORGIA HOT-BLAST GUPOLAApplication filed November 15, 1927. Serial No. 233,388.

This invention is an improvement in hot blast cupolas, and moreparticularly in cupolas of sectional construction.

In the usual construction of cupola there is provided a shell of metaland a lining of refractory material, usually an integral struc ture, andof a nature such that in case of damage to a part of the wall the entireshell or a large part thereof must be removed to enable repairs.

One of the primary objects of the present invention is the provision ofa cupola body of sectional construction, wherein the sections are soarranged and connected that the indi vidual sections may be easilyremoved and replaced, without dismantling the cupola.

Another object is the provision of means in connection with the sectionsfor enabling a thorough circulation of air through the same, in directcontact with the inner walls of the sections, and wherein the airfollows a spiral course to obtain a maximum of travel, thereby touniformly heat the air before it is delivered to the tuyeres.

Another object is the provision in such a construction of a connectionbetween the severa-l sections, and between the assembly of sections, tofirmly connect them together, and to provide for air tight connectionsbetween the several sections.

Another object is the provision in such a cupola of a constructionenabling the use of special alloy metal in selected parts of the cupola.

In the drawings forming a part hereof Fig. 1 is a vertical section.

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

In the present embodiment of the invention, the cupola shell is composedof a plurality of similar ring box sections, or annular chambers ofsuitable material, such as cast 'iron, and air for the tuyerescirculates through the chambers from the top to the bottom.

The sections are individual, each complete in itself, and they areconnected one with the other by means of nipples, of taperingform, toprovide thus a tight joint between the sections. As many rings orannular chambers may be installed as may be necessary, and in additionto the before mentioned rings or annular chambers, top and bottom ringsor chambers are provided of greater external radius and of less verticaldepth for a purpose to be described.

In the present embodiment of the invention,the cupola includes the usualbase composed. of a lining 1 of refractory material and a shell 2 ofmetal, resting upon the mantle plate 3. The tuyeres open through theshell 2 and the lining 1 of the base, the inner tuyere l being embeddedin the lining, while the outer tuyere 5 is secured to the shell.

With each outer tuyere 5 a down pipe 6 is connected leading from a boxring or annular chamber 7 which forms the lower section of the body ofthe cupola shell. This section 7 has a relatively large radius, and isrelatively small in depth, and provides a collecting chamber andcirculating box for the heated air, so that should one of the tuyeresbecome clogged, the air will continue to work in the remaining tuyeres.

Upon the section 7 a plurality of rings is mounted, each ring 8 havingthe same internal diameter as the chamber 7, so that the inner wallsthereof register with each other and with the inner wall of the chamberto form the interior wall of the cupola shell. In the present instancethree of the sections 8 are provided, and above the topmost is arrangeda second chamber 9 similar to the chamber 7, and of substantially thesame capacity.

The sections 7 and 9 are connected together by means of turn buckles 10and links 11, the turn buckles engaging adjacent ends of the links,while the remote ends of the links are connected to lugs 12 on therespective chambers 7 and 9. Connection is made between adjacent rings7, 8 and 9, by means of nipples 13.

Each of these nipples 13 tapers towards both ends as shown, and theopening in the respective chambers are shaped to fit the taporing endsof the nipples. Thus a tight joint is obtained, to prevent the escape ofair at the joints between the sections. As shown in 2, there is a largenumber of these open nipples 13 between each chamber and the adjacentchamber, so that a free circulation of air is provided from the topmostsection 9, through the several sections I -8, to the lowermost section7.

The bustle pipe 14 encircles the shell at about the level of thelowermost section 8, and itzisgconnected to the chamber 9, by apluralit-y'of pipes 15, the said pipes being outside of the turn buckleconnections 10-11. The blower delivers to the bustle pipe at 16, and theair delivered by the blower passes up 18 of-me'tal; The chargingdoor-sill 19 rests on' the top of this section, and'the cupola shellorstack 20 continues above the sill in the "usual manner,

In use, with the cupola charged, air supplied-'by'the blowers circulatesfrom the bustle pipe, through the conduits 15 to the cham- '25 tothecollectino chamber 7, from whence it *is delivered to the tuyeres. Asmany sections ber 9,'and by way of the several sections '8 8 are used asmay be necessary, and in case it should be desired to remove any of theT next-upper section, sufliciently to clear the sections, this maybedone by jacking up the nipples, after which the damaged section T maybemoved and a new one replaced. This is a distinct advantage, since itdoes not reas 'part'thereof: should be damaged. Further- 'mojre,"shouldit be desired that the bottom quire dismantling of the cupola in case asections be of special alloy metal, they can be so constructed, whilethe upper sections may be of'the usual material. In practice thesections. 8, as also the sections 7 and 9, if desired, will be, providedwithbafiies, to

cause agitation of the. air as it circulates. ':The elements 14 an'd15may be omitted if desired, the blowers being connected dif'rectly to theelement 9 which serves as a windbox. In the event that it will beimpractical is, the, exterior of;

to connectthe element 9 directly with the :blowers, the elements 14 and15 may be'used.

.i In, practice, the air passages 13 would be .1red fuced' in number andincreased in size. This mlght be provided'for'by expansion oft-heringcast ings atthe passages. That the castings would be irregular; V rY What is claimed as new is V 1. In cupola construction, a body composedof a'pluflrality of hollow rings or chambers substantially,rectangularin cross section ar- "ranged n superposed relatlon to present a fsubstantially continuous-inner circle, the low- '-e'r mo st chamberhaving means to connect flwith'the tuyeres, and the uppermost havingmeajnsto, connect with an air compressor, and-a pluralityjoieonnectionsbetween each chamber and the adjacent chambers forenabling the circulation of air from the compressor to the tuyeres.

2. In cupola construction, a body composed of a plurality of hollowrings or chambers substantially rectangular in cross section arranged insuperposed relation to present a substantially continuous inner circle,the lowermost chamber having means to connect with an air compressor, aplurality of connections between each chamber and the adj acent chambersfor enabling the circulation of air from the compressor to the tuyeres,

" each connection including registering oppositely tapered openings inthe adjacent walls of the adjacent sections, and nipples fitting thesaid oppositely tapering openings.

3. In cupola construction, a body composed of a plurality of hollowrings or chambers substantially rectangular in cross section arranged insuperposed relation to present a substantially continuous inner circle,the lowermost chamber having means to connect with the tuyeres, and theuppermost having means to connect with an air compressor, a plurality ofconnections between each chamher and the adjacent chambers for enablingthe circulation of air from the compressor to the tuyeres, eachconnection including registering oppositely tapered openings in theadjacent walls of the adjacent sections, nipples fitting the saidoppositely tapering openings, and turn buckle connections between theupper and lowermost section.

4. In cupola construction, a body composed of a plurality of hollowrings or chambers arranged in superposed relation, the lowermost havingmeans to connect with the tuycres, and the uppermost having means toconnect with an air compressor, and a plurality of connections betweeneach chamber and the adjacent chambers for enabling the circulation ofair from the compressor to the tuyeres, the uppermost and the lowermostsection being relatively shallow and relatively wide to extend radiallybeyond the intermediate sections.

5. In cupola construction, a body composed of a plurality of hollowrings or chambers arranged in superposed relation, the lowermost havingmeans to connect with the tuyeres, and the uppermost having means toconnect with an air compressor, and a plurality of connections betweeneach chamber and the adjacent chambers for enabling the circulation ofair from the compressor to the tuycres, the uppermost and the lowermostsection being relatively shallow and relatively wide to extend radiallybeyond the intermediate sections, said intermediate sections beingrelatively deep and relatively narrow.

6. In cupola construction, a body composed of annular boxes or chambersarranged in superposed relation, tubular nipples for connecting thesections, each nipple tapering toward its opposite ends, and theadjacent walls of the adjacent sections having tapering openings toreceive the opposite ends of the nipple, and means for clamping all ofthe sections together on the nipples, the uppermost and lowermostsection being of relatively great radial width and of relatively shallowheight, said sections having inlet and outlet ports respectively.

7. In cupola construction, a body composed of annular chambered sectionsarranged in superposed relation, each section being rectangular in crosssection, and the sections seating one upon the other to provide for awall of uniform thickness, communications between the sections, andmeans in connection with the upper and lower sections for connectionwith a compressor and the tuyeres re spectively.

8. In cupola construction, a body composed of annular chambered sectionsarranged in superposed relation, each section being rectangular in crosssection, and the sections seating one upon the other to provide for awall of uniform thickness, communications between the sections, means inconnection with the upper and lower sections for connection with acompressor and the tuyeres respectively, the connections between thesections comprising nipples tapering toward each end, and openings inthe adjacent walls of adjacent sections shaped to fit the ends of thenipples, and means to draw the sections together upon the nipples.

Signed at Birmingham in the county of Jefferson and State of Alabamathis 10th day of November A. D. 1927.

CLARENCE D. BARR.

